MANILA Rep. Joel Chua said the House prosecution panel is ready to perform its constitutional mandate and present evidence before the Senate impeachment court in the trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Chua, one of the 11 members of the House prosecution panel, issued the statement after the Senate convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Duterte, who faces allegations involving misuse of state funds, unexplained wealth and threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R.Marcos Jr. and other officials.
“We acknowledge the convening of the Senate impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Chua, a member of the Houuse Committer on Justice and who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, stated.
“As members of the House prosecution panel, we look forward to performing our mandate under the Constitution with seriousness, discipline and respect for the process,” he added.
The convening of the impeachment court came after weeks of political tension in the Senate, including a leadership change and controversy over Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a Duterte ally wanted by the International Criminal Court in connection with the previous administration’s drug war.
Chua emphasized that the case is part of the constitutional accountability mechanism for officials occupying impeachable positions.
“This is a constitutional duty entrusted to the House of Representatives, especially in matters involving accountability of impeachable public officers,” Chua stressed.
The House panel is expected to prosecute the case before senators sitting as judges, with conviction requiring a two-thirds vote of the Senate and carrying the possibility of removal and disqualification from public office.
Chua expressed readiness to follow the processes of the impeachment court while ensuring that the House can present its case before the tribunal.
“We are prepared to present the evidence before the impeachment court and to comply with its lawful orders, directives and procedures,” Chua stated.
He added that the panel’s immediate task is to ensure that the evidence is properly heard and tested before the Senate impeachment court.
“At this stage, our duty is clear: to help ensure that the facts are heard, the evidence is tested and the process is carried out in a manner worthy of the trust of the Filipino people,” Chua added.
